Wisdom Teeth Extractions

What Are Wisdom Teeth?

Wisdom teeth are the last set of molar teeth at the back of your mouth. They usually erupt between the ages of 17 and 25. While some people’s wisdom teeth grow without issues, others can experience problems with them, whilst others may never grow them.

Why Might I Need My Wisdom Teeth Removed?

• Impaction: If a wisdom tooth does not fully erupt or becomes trapped in the jawbone or gums, it can cause pain, swelling, or recurrent infection due to food becoming stuck around it. Long term impaction can also cause decay to your wisdom tooth, and potentially the tooth in front of it. Your dentist will assess your individual risk of wisdom tooth related complications.
• Disease: Wisdom teeth can be difficult to keep clean due to their position at the back of the mouth. This can result in decay and/or gum disease.
• Cysts: Impacted wisdom teeth can develop cysts attached to them. The cyst takes the place of your jaw bone, so it needs to be removed usually alongside the wisdom tooth. You may require a more detailed 3D scan for this procedure, which means we would refer you on for specialist care in a hospital.

What Can I Expect During the Procedure?

Your surgeon will discuss the specific aspects of your procedure during your appointment. The procedure can vary depending on the position of your wisdom tooth, and the relationship of your wisdom tooth to other jaw structures. In some cases, your wisdom tooth removal may be deemed highly complex. We will discuss this with you and refer you for specialist care in a hospital.

After a discussion of the treatment and any associated risks, you’ll receive local anaesthetic to numb your wisdom tooth and surrounding areas, including your lip and tongue. If your wisdom tooth is impacted, a small incision is made into the gum. It may then be necessary to remove some surrounding bone or to section the wisdom tooth into smaller pieces to help removal. The gum is then usually closed over with stitches that dissolve by themselves over 7-10 days.

Will the Procedure Hurt?

You should not feel any pain during the procedure, but it is completely normal to feel pressure in the area. As the numbness wears off, the area might become uncomfortable, and you should take painkillers as advised.

What Can I Expect After the Procedure?

Our team will inform you of the specific side effects and risks of your procedure. It’s common to experience:

• Discomfort: this is expected once the numbness wears off, but it is variable. Some patients report very minimal discomfort from the area, while others need to take painkillers. If you do experience discomfort, we recommend taking your usual choice of painkiller for a few days. It is important to differentiate normal post-operative pain from complications like dry socket.
• Swelling and Bruising: this is usually at its most obvious two to three days after surgery and varies between patients. It normally resolves itself after 10 to 14 days.
• Bleeding: Some bleeding is normal after a tooth extraction. If persistent bleeding occurs, bite firmly into a clean damp gauze or clean cotton handkerchief for at least 20 minutes. If it still doesn’t stop, contact the clinic.
• Dry Socket: This occurs where the protective blood clot fails to form or gets dislodged, exposing the socket bone, leading to pain and delayed healing. To prevent dry socket, avoid using straws, smoking, and stick to soft foods for the initial days. Maintain good oral hygiene by gently brushing your teeth and rinsing your mouth gently with warm salty water.
• Altered sensation: Wisdom teeth can sit close to nerves in your jaw bones that control the feeling to your lip, chin, and tongue. Occasionally, these nerves can be irritated by removal of the wisdom tooth, which can cause numbness or a change in sensation to certain areas of your mouth and/or face. This is usually temporary and will recover with time. If your wisdom tooth appears very close to the nerve on your x-ray, we may refer you to the hospital to undergo a 3D scan to assess it in more detail.

Do You Have More Questions?

We’re here to help! If you’d like to discuss your wisdom teeth or have concerns about the procedure, please get in touch with Lancashire Oral Surgery Clinic. Your comfort and care are our priorities.